1985-90 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
Third-generation Camaros suffer from a collective identity problem. They were very popular in the 1980s, but are often associated with, shall we say, less-than-fashionable demographics. The image of teased-hair bleach-blonde girls and mullet-styled guys cruising with the T-top panels removed really had nothing to do with the inherent capabilities of the cars.
IROC models, of course, were named for the racing series that used Camaros. The street-going versions were higher-performing models than the Z28s and, soon, their popularity would push the Z28 into the dark. They cornered and stopped better than the Mustangs of the day, and when equipped with the optional 350 engine( automatic trans only, unfortunately), they were competitive between stoplights.
The IROC was a cultural phenomenon. Mention the name to anyone who grew up in the Eighties, and even if they don’ t know a lug nut from a steering wheel, they know the car – for better or worse. Prices are still reasonable, but they’ re climbing. The biggest problem is the deficit of restoration parts, so your best bet is finding the most original, lowest-mileage example you can.
1991 GMC Syclone / 1992-93 GMC Typhoon The GMC Syclone was the crazy kind of vehicle the conservative General Motors simply wasn’ t known for producing. It was a compact pickup with a turbocharged 4.3-liter V-6 and all-wheel drive that sucked the doors off just about anything it encountered, including a Ferrari in an infamous Car and Driver story. It was offered only in sinister black, with a unique lower body kit. It was bold, brash and very un-GM. Unfortunately, it was a two-seat truck and you couldn’ t tow with it, so few people bought it strictly for its hair-raising performance – only 1,995 to be exact.
When it was clear the brilliant Syclone wasn’ t succeeding, GMC came at the idea from a different angle and applied the Syclone’ s styling and drivetrain, along with some new exterior colors, to the Jimmy compact SUV and dubbed it the Typhoon. It was more successful than the Syclone, selling nearly 4,700 examples during its two-year run. Nearly 20 years later, these trucks are revered by a cult-like legion of enthusiasts. Buy one and you’ re in the club, but be wary of excessive mods and non-original engines. The 4.3-liter foundation didn’ t cotton to mods like the Buick 3.8-liter turbo engine, so more than a few were blown up or severely weakened.
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